Full Notification

On Friday 2/10/12, at about 2037 hrs, a 16 year old male was crossing S. Livermore Avenue in the marked crosswalk located between First St. and Railroad Ave. One motorist traveling northbound on S. Livermore stopped for the pedestrian who was crossing from east to west. The driver of a Honda traveling southbound on S. Livermore Ave. failed to see the pedestrian in the crosswalk and struck the pedestrian with the front of the Honda. The pedestrian was transported to a local hospital where he was treated for minor injuries and released. Alcohol does not appear to be a factor in this collision. The collision is still under investigation. S. Livermore Avenue was closed for approximately three hours during the investigation.

This was the sixth injury collision involving vehicles striking pedestrians since January first of 2012. Pedestrian involved injury collisions have been on the rise in Livermore for the last several years. In 2009 there were 10 pedestrians injured in roadway collisions. That number rose to 17 in 2010 and 18 in 2011. There have been no fatal pedestrian involved collisions in Livermore since 7/13/08 when a pedestrian was struck and killed as he ran across East Ave. near Jensen St.

Drivers and pedestrians have equal responsibilities in the efforts to reduce pedestrian involved collisions. Drivers should take extra caution when approaching crosswalks and intersections. Look for pedestrians near the crosswalk and prepare to yield when they enter the crosswalk. When driving in a residential area, particularly during the afternoon hours, or near a school zone, scan ahead for pedestrian traffic, especially for children, who may suddenly run out into the roadway. Extra caution should apply in the evening hours. Pedestrians should always use designated crosswalks when crossing a busy roadway. Assume that the driver can’t see you until you have made eye contact. Once in the crosswalk continue to scan for traffic in each lane of traffic. When in doubt, yield to vehicle traffic. These are basic rules of the road; however pedestrian accidents continue to occur when drivers and/or pedestrians ignore these rules.

The Livermore Police Department has three crosswalk enforcement operations planned during the next two months. During these enforcement efforts, LPD officers will be targeting specific crosswalks in town and will be citing drivers who fail to yield to pedestrians crossing the roadway within those marked crosswalks.

The Livermore Police Department Traffic Unit’s primary goal is to reduce traffic collisions, particularly those involving pedestrians, as those often result in serious injury. If you have questions regarding pedestrian safety, or general traffic issues, you can contact the Livermore Police Department Traffic Unit at (925) 371-4850.